I got the chance to put my new Roco 79956 SBB Cargo/LokRoll Vectron (193 478) through it's initial paces.I was surprised to see that there are some differences between this model and my earlier 79920 BLS Cargo Re 475.The first thing that I noticed is that the lights do not work in the same way. When I placed the lok on the rails and activated F1, only the white headlights went on. There were no taillights. You cannot access the rear lighting functions using the 6021. I was able to access a single red taillight using F15 on my MS2, but the other light options are positioned in F16-F20. I will be able to explore and test those functions using the Lok Test function on my ESU Lokprogrammer.

Overall the lok is well done. Something looked a little amiss at first glance and it dawned on me that the little footplate between the buffers, which is gray on the BLS Re 475, is red on the new SBB Cargo model. This looks a little out of place. Other than that, the model looks impressive.

Mechanically, the lok is equipped with one pair of traction tires per bogie, meaning that it should have good traction.The roof and pantographs are nicely detailed and correspond to photos of the prototype.

The model has high beams, which are directionally dependant and can be accessed with MS or 6021 (2nd Motorola address).I will provide more details about the functions as I have a chance to explore them in more detail.

The lok is planned to be hauling a Hupac Container or KLV (mixed container and trailer) train.

One thing that I was curious about was whether the lok is named "Gottardo" or whether it says "Gotthard" one one side or end.The model has "Gottardo" in all spots.

The same curiosity exists about the second (79944) model, whether it say "Simplon" and "Sempione" or just "Simplon"?

I wonder whether we will see either a LokRoll/SBBC Vectron or Nightpiercer from Maerklin for 2019?I am still waiting for an ELL/SBBC Vectron with 4 pantographs. The one Maerklin released, is not authorized for operation in Switzerland and like the "Alpaezaehmer" and "Rastattless" 189s on the market, would not be seen in the regions that my collection covers.

I have held off on getting a Piko or Roco version of this to see if Marklin will release it in 2019. Looks like we will know sometime next week!

I looked at the Maerklin ELL/SBB Cargo Vectron, but did not go for that model, because it is of the version with 2 pantographs that can only be used in Germany and Austria. The ones that come into Switzerland have 4 pantographs.

I considered the Maerklin Re 475 before getting the Roco one. The level of detail of the Maerklin model in some regards matched that of the Hobby models and the Roco model has more details and much better sound.

The Vectron is the foreseeable future of European rail. It seems to be taking over and there is definitely more of an industry buzz on this class than on other products from Bombardier and other companies.

I am still waiting for models to come from LSM, Jaegerndorfer and other companies, but for now, the Roco model is the best.

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